Jesus Was Rational by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=1245

Jesus Was Rational

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

A study of the life of Christ on Earth quickly reveals that Jesus functioned rationally, logically, and sensibly. Unlike many religious people who claim to represent Him, Jesus possessed high respect for doctrinal correctness (after all, He authored the Law!). In all of His interactions with people, He conducted Himself with logical precision. One example of this attribute of our Lord is seen on the occasion when Jesus entered the synagogue and encountered a man who had a deformed hand (Matthew 12:9-13). This circumstance prompted His enemies to ask Him a question in hopes of being able to accuse Him of breaking the Law. They asked: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Of course, they had pre-decided that the answer to the question was “no,” that, in fact, the Law would naturally forbid such an action.

Unfortunately, the prevailing interpretation of the Law of Moses at the time, at least among the Jewish leaders, was that the Sabbath law enjoined total inactivity—as if everyone was to sit down for 24 hours and do nothing. This view was a distortion of God’s law on the matter. The Law gave the right, even the obligation, to engage in several activities (that could rightly be designated “work”) that did not constitute violation of the Sabbath regulation. On this occasion, Jesus pinpointed one such instance: “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?” (vs. 11). Jesus was recalling a directive from the Law of Moses:

You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. And if your brother is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him. You shall do the same with his donkey, and so shall you do with his garment; with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he has lost and you have found, you shall do likewise; you must not hide yourself. You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again (Deuteronomy 22:1-4; cf. Exodus 23:4-5).

Such passages give insight into the nature of God, and provide tremendous assistance in making proper application of God’s laws to everyday circumstances.

Observe that God’s laws never contradict or countermand each other. Unlike man-made laws which often manifest inconsistency and contradiction, God’s laws function in perfect harmony with each other. The Mosaic passage to which Jesus alluded demonstrates that the general principle of the cessation of usual work on the Sabbath did not conflict with any number of specific circumstances in which benevolence and compassion were to be expressed. In an agriculturally-based society, a family’s survival depends on its farm animals. If a sheep, ox, or donkey were to break out of its stall, flee the premises, and then fall into a pit from which it would be unable to extricate itself, the animal would most likely die or become seriously ill if left in its predicament for 24 hours. To expend the necessary effort (i.e., “work) to retrieve the animal from danger was not considered by God to be included in the Sabbath prohibition. Hence, Jesus stated the logical conclusion: “Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?” (vs. 12). If action could be exerted to see to the well-being of a dumb animal, then obviously, God would approve of action taken to see to the physical care of a human being! The logic is penetrating and decisive. Far from suggesting that law is unimportant and may be ignored under the guise of “human need,” or implying that humans can break the “letter of the law” in order to keep the “spirit of the law” (see Miller, 2003), Jesus demonstrated that inherently built into God’s laws are all concerns deemed by Deity to be necessary. The benevolent, loving thing to do will always harmonize with God’s laws, since “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10), i.e., every truly loving action has already been defined by God in His legal admonitions.

The religion of Christ surpasses all human religion. It is rooted in the very essence of Deity. When Jesus took on human form on Earth, He showed Himself to be the Master logician Who always conducted Himself in a rational manner. May we do likewise.

REFERENCES

Miller, Dave (2003), “The Spirit and Letter of the Law,” Apologetics Press,http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1225.

From Mark Copeland... "THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY" The Duties Of Husbands

                    "THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY"

                         The Duties Of Husbands

INTRODUCTION

1. Our previous lesson argued that marriage is not an institution...
   a. Created and designed by man or the state
   b. Subject to alteration by societal whims

2. But rather, that marriage is a sacred institution...
   a. Instituted by God in the beginning
   b. Regulated by Jesus and His apostles in the Word of God
   c. Reserved for sexual intimacy between a man and a women

3. Indeed, marriage is a successful institution...
   a. When we follow the Biblical injunctions concerning it
   b. When members of the family fulfill their proper roles
   c. Preventing marriage and family from becoming an emotional and
      psychological straitjacket, the proverbial ball and chain, and
      source of much strife and hurt in one’s life

[What are those Biblical injunctions concerning the proper roles of the
members of the family?  Let’s first consider the duties of husbands...]

I. LOVE YOUR WIVES!

   A. HUSBANDS ARE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES...
      1. As Christ loved the church - Ep 5:25-27,29
         a. He gave Himself for the church!
         b. He nourishes and cherishes the church!
      2. As they love their own bodies - Ep 5:28-29
         a. Which they nourish and cherish
         b. Which they handle with care
      3. Free from bitterness - Col 3:19
         a. That is, resentment or hate
         b. Often accompanied with wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking - cf. Ep 4:31

   B. HUSBANDS ARE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES...
      1. With "agape" love (active good will)
         a. Which is commanded - Ep 5:25
         b. Which is defined - 1Co 13:4-8
         c. The same sort of love we are to have toward God and all men
      2. With "phileo" love (sentimental, affectionate)
         a. As one would have for  his own body - Ep 5:29
         b. As parents would have for their children - cf. Ep 6:4; 1Th 2:7
      3. With "eros" love (sexual)
         a. Joining together as one flesh - Ep 5:31
         b. Providing physical attention and affection due the wife - cf. 1Co 7:2-5

[Husbands have a duty to love their wives in every way!  They also have
the duty to...]

II. RESPECT YOUR WIVES!

   A. BY HOW YOU TREAT THEM...
      1. With understanding - 1Pe 3:7
         a. In an understanding way - ESV
         b. Be considerate - NIV
         c. Learn what makes her "tick", and treat her accordingly
      2. With honor - 1Pe 3:7
         a. Praise her in the gates - cf. Pr 31:28
         b. Put her on a pedestal
         c. Do not ridicule her publicly
      3. As to the weaker vessel - 1Pe 3:7
         a. Not that your wife may actually be the weaker vessel
         b. Many wives are spiritually stronger, some physically stronger
         c. But treat her "as" a weaker vessel (treat her like china,not steel)
         d. Don’t be like a bull running wildly in a china shop!

   B. BY HOW YOU VIEW THEM...
      1. As a fellow heir of the grace of life - 1Pe 3:7
         a. For whom Christ died
         b. A beloved sister in Christ, worthy of respect
         c. With whom you hope to spend eternity
      2. As one who affects the efficacy of your prayers! - 1Pe 3:7
         a. How we treat others has a bearing on our prayers - Mk 11:26; Pr 21:13
         b. God will not heed our prayers if we mistreat our wives!- cf. Mal 2:13-16

[To our duties as husbands to love and respect our wives, let us add one more...]

III. SUPPORT YOUR WIVES!

   A. BY PROVIDING FOR THE FAMILY...
      1. The husband (and father) has the duty to provide for his family - 1Ti 5:8
      2. Failure to do so is to deny the faith (the doctrine of Christ!)- ibid.
      3. Unbelievers (and most creatures, cf. The March Of The Penguins)
         provide for their own
      4. A man should not take a wife unless he is willing and able to
         support her financially

   B. BY LETTING HER CONTRIBUTE...
      1. The virtuous woman contributed much to the support of the
         family - Pr 31:16-19,24
      2. A wise husband lets her contribute, and to be praised for it!- Pr 31:31
      3. Of course, not to the neglect of her familial duties 

         - cf. Pr 31:21,27; 1Ti 5:14; Tit 2:4-5

CONCLUSION

1. The Christian husband is a man who...
   a. Loves his wife in every way
   b. Respects his wife by how he treats her and views her
   c. Supports his wife financially, emotionally, and spiritually

2. This is because the Christian husband is a man who...
   a. Is a Christian first, and a husband second
   b. Gladly accepts the Biblical injunctions given to him as a husband
   c. Looks to the Word of God and prayer for the strength he needs to
      fulfill his duty

3. When a man is a Christian husband...
   a. He is more likely loved and respected by his wife
   b. She is more likely the sort of wife she should be
   c. The children are more likely as they should be

In our next lesson, we shall consider the duties of wives.  In the
meantime, some additional food for thought for husbands...

                    The 10 Commandments of Husbands

1. You shalt not take your wife for granted, but will honor and respect
   her as your equal. (1Pe 3:7)

2. Your highest allegiance, except God, shall be to your wife, not
   relatives or friends. (Gen 2:24)

3. You shall frequently tell her how important & valuable she is to you.
   (Php 2:3; Pr 31:10-11)

4. You shall hold your wife’s love by the same means that you won it.(So 5:10-16)

5. You shall actively establish family discipline with your wife's help.(Ep 6:4)

6. Remember to do all the little things for your wife when you say you
   will. (Mt 5:37)

7. Keep your eyes on your own wife, not your neighbor’s. (Pr 5:15-20;
   Job 31:1; Jer 5:8)

8. You shall make every effort to see things from your wife’s point of
   view. (Gen 21:12)

9. You shall not fail to kiss your wife every morning. (So 8:1)

10. You shall not be stingy with your wife when it comes to money.
    (Es 5:3)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Rock Bottom

Have you ever hit "rock bottom"; so low, that you could not imagine a worse thing that could happen to you? Almost die? About to see everything around you be destroyed and felt like your life has been a complete waste? Even thinking about these things is depressing, isn't it?  But, these things can (and sometimes, do) happen in life.  When I think of these things, my thoughts turn to Hezekiah and how when faced with an overwhelming aggressor (Assyria) he turns to God and the Almighty does wondrous things (see 2 Kings, Chapter 19)!!! Then, at the beginning of the very next chapter, this happens...

2 Kings, Chapter 20 (WEB)

 1 In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Set your house in order; for you shall die, and not live.’” 

  2  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying,  3 “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” Hezekiah wept bitterly. 

  4  Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, Yahweh’s word came to him, saying,  5 “Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you shall go up to Yahweh’s house.  6 I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’” 

  7  Isaiah said, “Take a cake of figs.” 

They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.  8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I shall go up to Yahweh’s house the third day?” 

  9  Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that he has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” 

  10  Hezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. Nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.” 

  11  Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz. 

After seeing God's dealings with both the nation and himself, Hezekiah has the nerve to ask for a sign. Hubris, plain and simple. But, God does provide the sign and Hezekiah is blessed. But, again we see Hezekiah's pride towards the end of the chapter.

2 Kings, Chapter 20 (WEB)

12  At that time Berodach Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah; for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.  13 Hezekiah listened to them, and showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious oil, and the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah didn’t show them.  14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to king Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? From where did they come to you?” 

Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, even from Babylon.” 

  15  He said, “What have they seen in your house?” 

Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” 

  16  Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear Yahweh’s word.  17 ‘Behold, the days come, that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store to this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left,’ says Yahweh.  18 ‘Of your sons who shall issue from you, whom you shall father, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” 

  19  Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “Yahweh’s word which you have spoken is good.” He said moreover, “Isn’t it so, if peace and truth shall be in my days?” 

  20  Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water into the city, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 21 Hezekiah slept with his fathers; and Manasseh his son reigned in his place. 

All this to say the following: When you meet God at the "rock bottom" of your life and are delivered out of your calamity, don't let pride raise its ugly head again.  Your pride just might live on after you. In Hezekiah's case it did....

Jeremiah, Chapter 15 (WEB)

 1 Then Yahweh said to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go out.  2 It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go out? Then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.  3 I will appoint over them four kinds, says Yahweh: the sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy.  4 I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.